Author(s)

C.C. Bezuidenhout, J. Lin, N. Mthembu, P.T. Biyela & A.K. Basson

Abstract

The Mhlathuze river catchment: Bacterial contamination and antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates C.C. Bezuidenhout, J. Lin, N. Mthembu, P.T Biyela & A.K. Basson Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, RSA Abstract The present study reports on the fecal contamination in Mhlathuze river catchment and the incidence of antibiotic resistance amongst the bacterial isolates from water sources as well as from diarrhoea patients living in the area. The Mhlathuze river catchment (Northern KwaZulu-Natal, RSA) is home to an extensive rural population that is dependent on water from this river for all domestic purposes. An increase in indicator fecal coliform bacteria was observed between 1998 and 1999. Increased surface water temperature during this period (1998 - 1999) appeared to be one of the factors affecting the increased bacterial counts. Bacteria isolated from the river also included E. coli, Pseudomonas-, Enterobact

Keywords